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I think part of the concerns (about colour of the metal) are unfounded. Circulated silver, when lit with overly diffuse light, shows up with an almost coppery tinge on points of wear or weak strike. I know next to nothing about this particular coin, but I know enough about photography to know that the pictures posted in the OP are not how the coin looks in hand. Short of any obvious die markers missing (which I don't see mentioned here), I think an in hand review of the coin by an expert would be the only way for you to get an honest answer to this question. It's a hassle, but returning the coin for review is better than the musings of keyboard warriors spouting off opinions (biased largely by their vitriolic hatred of NGC and PCGS) based on so-so pictures. Just my tuppence...

Your picture is much more representative of the coin I think. It was good to have two sets of photos during the auction.

Anyway, I upgraded my MacBook Pro to the new El Capitan operating system and, guess what, the software I had been using to catalogue my collection no longer worked. The data was there but, because of the limitations of the old software, I couldn't export it in any meaningful way. The technical failure forced my hand but I had been unhappy about some of the lack of functionality in the old software and the failure of the developers to take it forward. So I found some new software at around $20 and which has more than a few advantages over the old package. I can specific my own fields and call them what I want, I can import/export in industry standard formats and I can print off individual records and listings. More importantly, having to re-input each record - or each coin - gave me a chance to take a fresh look at my collection and at coins that have been sitting in the trays largely ignored as I plotted my next acquisitions. And there were a few takeaways .... 1. Data was often incomplete and inconsistent from one coin to another. This exercise has allowed me to drive some consistency and identify where I need to spend more effort. 2. The latest ESC is a much better reference book than the previous edition. I had not realised how much better. 3. While most coins were what I thought they were, I did discover an unnoticed William III R5 in the mix. And, yes, I recognise that R5 is a fairly unscientific indication of rarity but I will take it! 4. Valuations can only be very approximate despite the best efforts of CCGB and the auction archives. Best to put a conservative valuation and then triple it for insurance purposes. 5. Some of my photos are awful and need to be redone preferably with a better lens and better lighting. 6. The importance of being able to export data in an industry standard format should not be downplayed. We are always at the mercy of the computer industry as new systems and standards creep into our world. The ability to recover data when the software no longer works is critical. And, now, back to the data entry.

Likewise. The unsold lots will be at the London Coin Fair on Saturday, so a chance to see the remainder in the hand. Jerry

I'd worry about MDF leaching hydrocarbons and toning the coins, especially if it is new. That said, we all like toned coins, so I guess it depends what the results look like. I guess it is a try it and see. I know "not much help", sorry.

Sounds a little cheaper than £499 if you ask me. PCGS have a grading week in Paris from the 13th June till the 17th, cut off date for submissions is the 15th, you'll have it back within 10 days from that point.....

What about British tradition....use mahogany or rosewood.You won't find MDF in a Morgan Plus. My cabinet for what its worth is handmade in the UK using reclaimed Victorian mahogany.IMO as important as my coins.

Some MDF contains formaldehyde that could possibly have an effect on silver.

I cant see it making any difference in a quadrum ,they are airtight .

Is MDF safe to use? I though the glues used to bind it could potentially affect the coins. Is there anyone with more experience able to confirm this?

Wasn't sure which topic to put this in but just wanted to point out that despite being NGC slabbed this ebay piece is NOT an 1897 High Sea Level, so please do not be tempted / mis-lead by the authoritative labelling, would be an awful lot of money anyway even if it was:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1897-Great-Britain-Penny-High-Sea-Level-NGC-MS-64-Red-Brown-/162088884604?hash=item25bd40197c:g:lZwAAOSwIjNXJp~w I have advised the seller so hopefully he will now either remove or add some additional comments

Thanks Bob I will also post individually as the pic sizes do not seem to work otherwise, been a labour of love!

Spent ages on these this evening, comments invited on my best pics of my recent 1902 proof crown - sixpence set

And better pics of this one